Lehigh men facing biggest challenge to date

First-place Bucknell comes to Stabler at 7 tonight

January 17, 2012|Tom Housenick

Mackey McKnight hadn't taken a shot in a while.

So, when he drove deep into the teeth of the American defense during last Wednesday's Patriot League game, I expected the Lehigh point guard to put it up, to finish off the nice move he made, to create separation from his defender.

McKnight did what he and his teammates in similar situations have done most times this season: He passed it to a more-open teammate, who subsequently drained a 3-pointer.

The fact that the shot was made is not relevant. The fact that McKnight and others have shown a strong willingness to play team ball has been one of several reasons why Lehigh is 14-5 this season and a title contender.

The Mountain Hawks clearly are a more cohesive group than the one that donned brown and white last season, one that failed three times to beat eventual league champion Bucknell.

Chemistry and personal accountability certainly will help this season against any team, including the Bison, who prove that teamwork wins.

So, can Lehigh combine talent and chemistry to end a three-game losing streak in the series and create what could be a four-way tie for first place?

But whether Lehigh wins Tuesday night's showdown at Stabler Arena isn't the point. There will be other games, including a trip next month to Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg.

What matters is that coach Brett Reed has seen his players take steps forward in their individual growth, which has allowed the team to thrive and put itself in position to reach its potential — something that didn't happen last season.

"When I look at our team this year, I see growth, development and leadership," Reed said. "There's a greater buy-in, a greater faith in each other. Part of it is the right type of attitude, the right outlook. They've also developed their games.

"I see it from top to bottom, snippets from everybody."

Lehigh needs contributions from all to reach its goal of another league title.

Last season's team had no chance. But instead of pouting and creating further division within the ranks of the returning players, each one took the team's failure personally.

They dedicated time in the offseason to improving their physical skills. They also opened themselves up to one another.

"There's been a unified, family approach like it was the year we won the championship [in 2010]," Reed said. "They've spent a lot of time together. It's a cultural thing we like to establish. Different teams have to focus on it a little more.

"Being able to work together and have positive relationships makes any team better, without a doubt."

There have been many team meetings in which players have expressed their deeper feelings to their teammates. That has spawned smaller meetings, including one between junior roomies C.J. McCollum, Gabe Knutson and Holden Greiner.

Greiner emerged from those meetings a more confident human being. His performance on the court is an indication of that.

"I know they have my back," Greiner said.

Each team's chemistry is different. Last season's squad lacked the necessary bond, though the collective physical talent was there.

It was a roller-coaster ride. There were impressive, dominant performances. There were games such as the regular-season home game against Bucknell.

It was played during a blizzard, but the Bison used their talent and teamwork to ambush the Mountain Hawks.

Lehigh's play so frustrated Reed that he walked across the court to argue with official Andrew Marotta. Reed wasn't as mad at the official as he was at his team.

Reed was ejected from the blowout defeat. More importantly, his message never reached the team.

The next time Lehigh fans saw Reed that upset was in the PL semifinals at Bucknell, when a non-call in the closing seconds prevented Lehigh from perhaps winning the game and reaching the title game.

The Bison eventually won the championship. Bucknell has continued using the team-first mantra this season.

"I have great teammates and we all just play together," junior Mike Muscala said. "We don't care who is playing. We're there for each other. We're all unselfish. That's what makes it work."

Lehigh returnees drew motivation from that heart-breaking loss as much as their failed attempt at playing as one throughout the 2010-11 season.

Reed is hoping that won't be his players' only driving force come Wednesday night.

"It's a human element, emotional hurt of a game," he said. "But being strategic, I tell the players to play in the moment. What happened before and what could happen in the future, they have no control."

There is little doubt all players involved in Wednesday's game know this is more than just one of 14 league games.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the game on Wednesday, I can tell you that much," Muscala said.